Motor vehicle turn signal



F. o. lDUNCAN MOTOR VEHICLE TURN SIGNAL Sept. 9, 1941.,

Filed July 6, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l f77/'da zzcam ATTORNEYS WITNESS Sept 9, 1941. F. o. DUNCAN I MOTOR VEHICLE TURN SIGNAL Filed July 6, 1939 2 Shee'ts-Sheell 2 Y I tu.

, .Iallflln .il `lilllflfiv) x ATTORNEYS WITNESS Patented Sept. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTOR VEHICLE TURN SIGNAL Frank 0. Duncan, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Application July 6, 1939,Serial No. 283,094

4 Claims. (Q1. 116-39) the locality of the drivers seat whereby the driver may cause a signal unit to move outwardly from the vehicle, displaying a signal character indicating an intention of the driver to turn a vehicle right or left.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic operable device for, upon occasion, moving a character bearing signal outwardly from a vehicle in a position readily visible to drivers of other vehicles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel signal unit including characters comprising pivotally concatenated elements which when erected simulate in outline alphabetical characters but which, during the operation of the device when lowered into essentially horizontal or at least not erect position, dispose theml selves in a compact assembly.

An Vadvantage of the device according to the instant invention is that it provides for the eX- ternal display of relatively large signal characters which, when not displayed, are compactly stored within portions of the vehicle in space normally unoccupied, this advantage following from use of the collapsible signals of the type hereinabove mentioned.

A noteworthy feature of the device according to this invention is that it can be operated by the driver of the vehicle with which it is associated, by means of a conveniently located foot pedal, the operating means serving both to move the signals into position of display and to select one of a plurality of signals. Y

Other objects, advantages vand features will be apparent to those skilled in this art during the course of the following description.

Regarded in certain of its broader aspects the novel vehicle signalling device according to the instant invention comprising a horizontally slid- Aing casing mounted in a part lof avehicle in amanner such that a casing end portion can be exposed externally of the vehicle; a plurality of selectively erectable signals mounted in end parts of said casing and normally retracted therein but, upon occasion, movable into exposed character-displaying erect position; and means for causing reciprocating sliding motion of said casing and for selectively erecting said signals.

In order to facilitate a fuller and more complete understanding by those skilled in this art of the matter of the instant invention, a specic embodiment thereof herein illustrated will now be described, it being clearly understood, however, that the illustrated embodiment, although the principally preferred embodiment of this invention, is shown and described solely by Way of example of the practice of this invention and is not to be 'construed as a limitation upon the scope thereof except as same is expressed in the subjoined claims read in the light of this speciflcation. Y

Referring now to the drawings,

Figure 1 is essentially a side elevational view of portions of a vehicle with parts broken away for clearness illustrating the preferred mode of mounting the device according to the instant invention thereon,l

Fig. 2 is substantially a rear elevational View of the reciprocating signalling carrying casing and part of the operating mechanism therefor forming a portion of the principally preferred embodiment of this invention, 'certain parts being broken away for clearness of illustration and other parts being shown in vertical sectional View,

VFig. 3 is a rear elevational view partially in Vertical cross section of a reciprocating casing element according to this invention, one of the signal units being shown in erect exposed position,

Fig. 4 is essentially a perspective view of the character forming signal elements showing the.

presently preferred erecting mechanism,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the signal units,

Fig. 6 is essentially a vertical sectional View of Fig. V2 taken along the line 6-6 thereof together with a side elevational view of the signal control mechanism,

Fig, I is substantially a top plan view of the signal control mechanism,

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional View of the control mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6 taken along the line 8 8, and

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional View of Fig. 8 taken alongthe line 9--9.

In the accompanying drawings vit will be noted that the novel signalling device according to the present invention' comprises arsignalling means generally designated by the numeral 20 horizontally slidingly mounted in parts of a vehicle. A mechanism generally designated by the numeral 2l for moving said signalling means 2li into and from extended position and control means generally designated by the numeral 22 for selectively operating a signalling mechanism and controlling sliding motion of the signalling means will hereinaft-er'be more clearly apparent.

The signalling means 20 and ancillary equip- V ment will now be described. It will be noted that the signalling means comprises a tubular casing 3o closed at one end 3i and capped atl the other end by the end piece 32 The casing is hollow and essentially circular' in cross sec tional outline and is provided near thejend cap 32 with an elongate slot-like opening 33 formed in the Vside thereof and opening upwardly.- Within the casing 3G andgextending transversely thereacross is Yessentially fixedly mounted. aY shaft Sli positioned adjacent 'but beneaththe opening 3 3 and carrying a rst lever arm 35 mounted thereon in va manner such that the Varm may `freely be rotated withY respecttothe shaft. A

second leveryarr'n 36 mounted in similar manner upon theshaft Sibut spaced relative to the arin z-hereinabove described is providedfessentially as shown .in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.V Thef, lever ar m 35 carries an upright member 38 having'pivotally attached thereto horizontallyv extendingcharacte'r forming elements 39 and 40 elements ,39 and@ and an obliquely extending strip 4 2 pivoted at 'one end to theelements 40 Y and M andv provided with a slidejattachment 43 Vatthefree end therg'eof,V A,horizontally' eX- tending rod 45 attached at the place B tothe lever arm 35 and servingA as supportfor the sliding mounting 43 of the strip 42 extends through the casingand projects outwardly therefrom through the casinggend 31 presenting a hook formation G77 essentially as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. It will be apparent that axial motion of Ythe'rod E in a direction away :from

tions shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

"be understood that when the portion 55 of the arm 36 in essentially horizontal position. When, however, the rod 52 is moved axially withinthe casing in a direction away from the locality of the shaft 319i, the portion 555 of the lever 36 is moved into essentially vertical position as depicted in Fig. 3. A horizontally extending character forming element 5'! pivoted at the place 58 to the portion 55 of the lever arm 35 is pressed into horizontal position by the coil spring 59 whereby, when the portion 55 of the lever arm 36 is moved to essentially upright position, the parts dispose themselves into the relative posi- It of course will leverarni 3S is moved into essentially horizontal position, the character forming element 57 moves into position next the lever arm essentially as j shown i-n Fig. Ll.

connected atthe free ends thereof by a vertically A extendingcross Apiece 4| likewise pivoted tothe Vthe llocality of the'shaftV 34 will cause .the lever.

anni SSW te rmove from theposition it occupies in Fig 3j to thel position depicted infFig; 2'.. In.v

other wodSf,` the portionV 33 of the lever arm will Ymovefrom horizontal to essentially vertical posi' tion asa result ofsaid movement Yor the rod 38 of the lever arrn35 is Yin* an essentially horizlontal position, the character forming elementsv 39, G, 4l and 42 are disposed in collapsed, com-'- pact, essentially horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3. `rIlne Vportion 3 8 of the lever arm 35 is maintained in essentiallyhorizontal position except under certain ,circumstances which will Yhereinafter be 'describedV by means including spring-like means '48 Vabutting against thecas- Ving end 3l and the collar 49 mounted on Athe rodl whereby the rod is pressed in a direction f toward the locanty of the shaft ,34.

` t5.' t isto Ybe notedthat when the Aportion In like mannerv the lever arm 36is Iprovided v with Yan actuating rod 5i)` connectedto the lever 1 at the place 5l extending axiallythrough the casing' and rprojecting through the Casing endr 3i toV present a hook formation 552-substanfcfially asshown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. Spring pressing 1 means 5 3 abutting against thecasing end 3lrand the collar 54 mounted onthefrodserve normeurt@ position the perdent-5 `of: theflever It will be evident that when the hook formation 4l of the rod 5 is moved outwardly from the casing, thev lever arm 35 and associated assembly moves into upright position Awlfierieby -Y a `signal having an outline not dissimilar from thereto willv now be described, reference beingmade especially to :FigsaZ and 6. The casing "Sii receivable within. the housing S0 is providedV on the bottom thereof with a rst tooth rack 5l engaging with vthe teeth V62 of a differential.V gearfsystem, the other gear 6d of said' systemY engaging with a second 'toothV rack S5 axially' extending from andattached to a'sliding piston.Y

G6 mounted within a chambery 61 'essentially' i as shownin Figs. Zand 6g Referring especially to Fig. 6, it is to be'noted thatthe shaft "lll upon which the differential gearsystern 63 is mounted is journalled-in bearings lll in side portionsof the housing dii and is provided withtorquesensi'- tive resilientmeans 13 engaging with'parts of?, the housingand with the shaft 19 rwhereby-'moeiV tion of saidrshaft in a clockwise direction as viewedin Fig; 2 is `urged thereby causing .the

signalling means 20 to be moved into retractedV position within the housing 60.

It will be apparent, however, from consideration of theV drawings and the hereinabove descriptiony of the structure of the illustrated device, motion of the piston ce within the chamberV 61 toward the position illustrated in Fig. 2 will resultfin accelerated 'slidingmotion of the signailing means into outwardly extending exposed position as illustrated in said gure. VThemann'erro'f selectively operating the signalshereinabove described during sliding'motion of the sigfnailing means .will now. be.y described', reference being rnadeespecially lto Figs.j2"and' 6 wherein the -1 numeral 1 80 designates the sliding. member carryinga catchil; engaging, upon occasion, with T Y either one of the :hoolgformationsdl and 52 hereinabove; menti'med` whereby, as the signalling means 2t! slides` into outwardly extended positiorn; the'cateh blocksthe travel of; one of -the' jhookz formations therebyV moving. the corresponding rod relative to thecasing 3 0 and causingi erection i of the `associated signal. The sliding member 80 is preferably actuated by means of a Bowden wire connector 83 attached tothe housing 60 by the supporting bracket 84. A switch 85 mounted in a part of the housing 60 and actuable by means of the arm 8B carried upon the casing end 3l serves periodically to connect the illuminating means 81 carried in the end portion of the casing 30 with an appropriate power source such as a battery A, whereby, when the signalling means is moved to outwardly extended position, the illuminating means serves to attract attention to the signal. Y

Means generally designated by the numeral 22 for controlling and operating the signalling `device above referred to willnow be described, reference being made especially to Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, wherein the numeral 90 designates a three-position valve connected to a source of pressure fluid such as the hydraulic brakeV pump of a vehicle by means of the line 9i and connected to a drin by the line 92 and by the line 93 to the interior of the chamber B1 hereinabove described. Openings are formed in the rotor 94 of the valve 90 whereby, for two extreme positions during rotation of the rotor, the feed line 9i from the source of iiuid supply is connected to the line 93 communicating with the interior of the chamber 61 whereby iiuid passing into said chamber causes the piston 66 to move within the chamber to the position shown in Fig. 2, but when the rotor 94 of the valve 99 is in an intermediate position the line 93 is connected to the line 92 whereby fluid passes from the chamber B1 to the drain, due to action of the torque pressing means 13 acting as hereinabove described.

Rotation of the rotor 94 is produced preferably by a foot lever 95 mounted on the pivot 95a and provided with a toothed end-portion 95h engaging with a gear 96 mounted on the rotor shaft 98a. It will be evident that swinging motion of the foot lever 95 will cause rotation of the rotor with concomitant connection and disconnection of the feed lines and drain lines as hereinabove described. An end portion of the BowdenY wire connector 83 supported on parts of the valve 99 by the standard 91 is connected to the pivot 98 carried on a portion of the toothed end part 95h of the foot lever 95 whereby motion of the foot lever to actuate the rotor 94 as aforesaid causes sliding motion of the member 80 to move the catch 8| into engagement with one or the other of the hook formations 41 and 52 of the signalling means.

Having thus described the structure of the presently preferred embodiment of the instant invention, its mode of operation next will be described. When the operator of the vehicle wishes to signify an intention to turn, for example, to the right, the foot lever 95 is moved to the extreme right position whereby the sliding member 89 is moved to cause engagement of the catch 8| with the hook formation 41 of the rod 45 and in so moving the foot lever 95, the rotor 94 is rotated causing connection to be established between the feed line 9| associated with the source of fluid supply and the line 93 communicating with the interior of the chamber 61. In this manner fluid passes from the source of fluid supply to the interior of the chamber moving the piston to the extreme position therein illustrated in Fig] 2 whereby the signalling means 29 is moved outwardly into extended position and upon engagement of the hook formation 41 with the catch 8l .the lever arm 38 is actuated, causing erection of the R signal. In like manner movement of the foot pedal to extreme left position causes erection of the L signal. It will of course be recalled that the illuminating means 81 functions when the signalling means moves to extended position for illuminating the erected signal. Movement of the foot pedal 95 to an intermediate position causes the line 93 to be connected to the drain line 92 and, as the piston 66 moves backwardly within the chamber 81, the R or L signal is moved from erected to lowered position and the signalling means Vgenerally designated by the numeral 29 is moved :to retracted position within the housing 50. f

Having thus described the present invention, what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vehicle signalling device comprising a casing horizontally slidingly mounted in parts of a vehicley in a manner whereby, during sliding thereof, an end portion of the casing may be moved into exposed position projecting from the vehicle side; a plurality of selectively erectable signals, mounted on and normally retracted within parts of said casing but upon occasion, movable into exposed erect character-displaying position, means for holding said signals in retracted position within said casing; and means for imparting sliding motion to said casing comprising a hydraulically actuated reciprocable piston, an axially extending rst :toothed rack mounted on said piston, a differential gear engaging with said rst rack and a second tooth rack, engaging with said gear, mounted on parts of said casing whereby relatively small movement of said piston results in relatively large movement of said casing.

2. A vehicle signalling device, comprising a relatively elongated hollow cylindrical casing horizontally slidably mounted in parts of a vehicle in a manner whereby, during sliding thereof, an end portion of the casing may be moved into exposed position projecting from the side of the vehicle, a plurality of selectively erectable signals, mounted on and normally retracted within parts of said casing, upon occasion, movable into exposed erect character displaying position, each of said signals comprising a freely pivoted arm, a plurality of strip elements pivotally connected together and at least one of said elements connected to the arm and co-operating therewith, whereby, when said arm is erected, a visible character is displayed, but when said arm is not erected the strip element, or elements, fold to a compact essentially horizontally disposed assembly, means for holding said signals in retracted position within said casing and comprising sliding rods, one pivoted at each of said arms, spring pressed towards the signals, each having a hook formation on a -projecting free end thereof, and means for selectively causing each of said signals to be moved into erected position, said means comprising a catch sliding beneath and in a direction substantially at right angles to the axis of motion of said casing, engaging any single selected hook formations on the projected free vends of said sliding rods.

3. A vehicle signalling device, comprising a casing horizontally slidably mounted in parts of a vehicle in a manner whereby, during sliding thereof, an end portion of the casing may be moved into exposed position projecting from the side of the vehicle, a plurality of selectively erectable signals, mounted on 'and Anormally re'- tracted in parts'of the casing, but, upon Occa-l sion, movable-into exposed erect character :1is`k playing position,V eachv of the signals comprising character is displayed,"but when theother arm is 'not eercted, the strip element, `or4 elements, fold to a compact essentially horizontally disposed'V assembly, and means for holding the sig-V `nals in retracted positions within the casing,

comprising sliding rods, one pivoted to each of the arms and spring pressed towards the signal, each having a hook formation on a free end thereof. Y Y Y 4; 'A vehicle signalling device, lconsi-prising a swingi-ng signal, a reciprocating arm. for said 20l sig-nal, a hydraulic cylinder, a supply for 4the cyliidenapiston and Vpiston rod within the cylin-4 der, an axially extended tooth rack mounted on the piston rod, a differential gear engaging said rack,4a` second tooth rack engaging said gears and mounted on parts of the signal support,

whereby relatively small movement of Said piston Y results in relatively large movement of the Vsignal support, a three positioned valve connected with the` supply of the cylinder when the source of supply is under pressure and when the valve is in either extreme position and with a uid drain when the valve is in intermediate position, Ya

foot lever controlling said valve,V a Bowden driveV for 'moving the signal into different signalV operating Apositions corresponding to the Yextreme valve positions, means for driving said Bowden drive, and 'spring tensioningV means connected to retracted positioni `to said differential gear for returningl the signal FRANK O.V DUNCAN. 

